At the monthly meeting of the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Matthew Johnson and board members reviewed a number of elements that are underway to address the need for housing across Lake County. There has been strong forward movement over the course of the past few months. Over the last year, County Board and City Council officials have acknowledged that affordable housing in Lake County has been a neglected issue for quite some time. It is exciting to see the need for housing get the attention it deserves.
Mayor Lew Conner and Phil Johnson were both on hand at the meeting as representatives of the Two Harbors HRA. Their presence was in acknowledgement of efforts underway to formalize the working relationship between LCHRA, the Two Harbors Housing Authority and Lake County. One reason that progress has been slow over the past several years is due to the fact that the working relationships between the three entities needed coordination. Johnson, in his brief tenure, HRA board members and others have been able to bring clarity to the working relationships of the three groups so that progress can move forward at a more effective pace.
One area that has been impacted by this improved coordination is the establishment of the Lake County HRA and Housing Trust Fund. The Trust Fund has been set up as a revolving fund so that as homes are constructed and sold, money from the sale will roll back into the trust fund to help finance the next project. As of the end of May, there is $2 million in the fund. Portions of these funds are being put toward the purchase of vacant properties in Two Harbors and to help finance projects like Silverpoint II in Silver Bay. Additionally, funding is available and plans are beginning to take shape for single family homes in the Finland and Two Harbors communities. In addition, a downtown redevelopment plan is being formulated in the Two Harbors business district.
Finally, Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide and LCHRA board members have been working to identify tax forfeited land in the area that can be purchased by the HRA for the purpose of constructing multi and single family homes.
This is the kind of progress that collective effort can turn into a reality in Lake County. Paul Iverson was appointed as Vice Chair of the LCHRA at last week’s meeting. Other LCHRA board members include Board Chair Richard DeRosier, Lisa DeRosier, County Commissioner Rick Goutermont and Susan Rosette. The Lake County HRA meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
